INNER LIGHT MInistries Journal Volume 24 Number 3
O
December, 2012
Listening Within by Jim Gordon, President of ILM
(from The Inner Pathway, 2/11/03)
ver the course of our soul’s evolution, we’ve created certain belief systems, attitudes, and ways of being. Some of our creations work for us, some of them don’t; but even when they aren’t working for us, we continually repeat them hoping somehow they’ll magically change. “I’ll eat more chocolate cake, and then I’ll lose weight.” As we begin moving from evolution to involution, we’ll start to take personal responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, imagination, and physical creations. We’ll begin to evaluate, “Does doing this repetitive behavior or thought pattern really work for me? Am I getting what I want?” A simple example of this is when I was living in Hawaii. Every time I’d go out to do my errands, I’d unconsciously be thinking, “I can make living here work. Everyone says Hawaii is paradise, it’s the greatest place to live, so they must be right. I know I can make this work,” but it wasn’t working for me. In Hawaii, parking is so limited that you have to wait your turn for a spot to open. As I was waiting, my usual unconscious chatter was prattling on in my head. I suddenly became aware of it and started listening to what it was saying to me. “I can make this work. I know I can make this work.” Out loud, I said, “Wait a minute. Why do I have to make this work? I don’t have to make anything work. I want to be where I’m happy, where it’s easy.” So I asked myself, “Where is that?” The answer – “Back home in Texas.” People I knew said, “Are you crazy?” The struggle that maybe everyone was right and I should stay began its taunt, and rather quickly and unconsciously, I returned to the old thought of “I can make this work. I know I can make this work.” I also returned to feeling miserable. Some part of us is always trying to convince ourselves that we can make living this creation work. “I know I
can make this work. If I just do it right, I can create happiness here.” Being on the Path of Sound and Light, there’s now another voice, maybe a more still voice, that’s saying, “I know where you really want to live, I know where you can truly find happiness, and I’m the one that can tell you.” This voice is the Spirit of you, that which is truly you, who knows where you came from and knows where you shall return. This is the voice of your own soul calling you back Home. It knows this creation is not your Home and knows you are miserable trying to make it work here. So, listen for that voice, and it will begin to resound louder in you, and will lift you out of this creation and into the realms of pure Spirit. In the process of awakening, of going from evolution to involution, we’ll realize that if we want change in our life, we’re the ones to create the change, we’re the ones who will have to do some things differently. The easiest, the simplest, the most direct way to create change is by turning our focus from living more outwardly to living more inwardly. By doing so, we’ll find ourselves complaining less, we’ll stop blaming others for everything “wrong” in our lives, and we’ll seek happiness in the world less often. By holding our focus more on the inner, almost automatically, ways in which to bring about change in our outer lives will begin to come forward. We’ll also become more contemplative, asking questions of ourselves such as, “What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? What do I want to accomplish?” We’ll simplify our life, and align ourselves more to our true self. It’s so simple. All that we are, as a divine spark, is pure Loving. Where “love” is here and then gone, “Loving” continues on; and we’ll continue on. We exist in the purity of Loving beyond time, in the allness of all that is. Until we begin to experience this transitional point from evolution to involution, it’s just a lot of words. If, somewhere inside you, you’re saying, “Through personal responsibility, through taking different actions, through experience, I’m beginning to understand, I’m beginning to know,” then know you’re also beginning to wake up to that which is eternal, your own soul.
Keep Moving Forward
M
by Brian Yeakey, Vice President of ILM
We’ll hear about “psychic surgeries,” “metaphysical healings” or “spiritual healings,” or the “laying on of hands,” so we’ll go searching for something that’ll give us a “healing,” hoping that it will free us of the pain or disturbance that we’re suffering. However, a psychic energy has more of an effect on the psyche and on the physical consciousness, and while this can be wonderful, it is not a true “inner” spiritual experience. Some of these physical manifestations can be so amazing that we continue to allow ourselves to be swept away. Soon our main focus is on these energies and we’ve lost sight of the greater journey of Spirit. Even on the Path of Sound and Light we’ll have those kinds of experiences, but the soul is on a journey through these energies and levels of consciousness in order to rise above them into the greater truth of Spirit, and beyond.
(from The Greater Action Of Freedom and Liberation, 9/16/12)
ost of us (in ILM) were raised in a traditional religion and have, at some point, looked beyond our religious upbringing to various new age, psychic, or metaphysical teachings. The “chi” (def: life force), the “kundalini” (def: coiled body energy at the base of the spine), and the “prana” (def: fill with life or breath) are just a few examples of such teachings in the many yoga and meditation practices. Psychic or metaphysical energies are a manifestation of the mind, emotion, imagination, and body, and the experiences are more physical, or astral, in nature. These energies can be experienced in a meditation or a dream, as feelings in the body, or one might “hear things,” or have a “vision,” etc. Such energetic phenomena can be very persuasive; their affects can be dramatic and compelling, which tend to sway some to follow in its direction. Often, people refer to these experiences as being spiritual, but most people do not fully understand that what they’re experiencing is simply another level of consciousness, and not as high a consciousness as they might think. Because of the profound affect these energies can have, their influence frequently leads us to believe that they have “authority” over us, or are a higher consciousness than we are, and we’ll often give up our own personal power by following along as if it’s out of our control, not realizing that we do have a choice in the matter.
So, on your journey – keep moving forward, keep rising above it, never give up, just keep going, because that’s what it’ll take to overcome and rise above it all. Eventually, you’ll have the learning of what’s really going on, so even when you get swept away, for better or for worse, you’re going to have experience that will teach you. There will be a point where you’ll begin to wake up, and realize, and understand what has happened, what has taken place, what you’ve gotten caught up in, and how you’ve allowed yourself to be swept away. Then you’ll get to make another choice – the choice of Loving, the Path of Sound and Light, the neutral way. Jim and I talk about neutrality and how subtle it is, but at the same time, the Path of Sound and Light, the Holy Spirit, is more powerful than any force on all the levels of creation; that very essence of God’s Loving is more powerful than any of the psychic or physical energies, and yet, in this realm it appears so subtle. In your inner experiences, the soul awakening is to know the greater truth of itself as the Divine, and to follow that current of Loving in which it is traveling back into the awakening of its fullness with God again. So, it is best to leave behind the attraction to the outer experience of the psychic and metaphysical teachings, and begin to move toward the true experience of God.
How many times have we heard about surrendering to a higher power? We hear it from every religion and in many other outer practices. If we don’t know what that higher power is, it’s very easy to believe that this psychic phenomenon is the higher power, and this becomes a challenge. The wonderful affects that these lower types of energies can more immediately give us tend to get us caught up in them because we’re looking for something beyond ourselves that can give us experience. We think this type of experience will bring us into a greater good, and it can, but it is always temporary. 2
I nner L ight M inistries
Calendar
Classes & Programs: Winter – Spring ‘13 Presented by Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey in Austin, Texas: For additional information, call 512-306-1056.
M
onthly Classes: Jim’s and Brian’s class is held once a month on the following Sundays (see schedule below and please note time for each class), at their home at 203 Buckeye Trail, Austin, TX.
Monthly classes include spiritual teachings, Q&A, and meditation. Jim and Brian assist participants to become more deeply aware of the Spirit within. No charge.
Sundays:
2013
Potluck: (Bring a dish to share.) 12-1:30 pm & Class with Q&A: 1:30-6 pm*
DEC 9
–
JAN 13
–
Class: 2-4 pm (Recorded meditation and talk.)
FEB 10
–
Class: 2-4 pm (Recorded meditation and talk.)
MAR 10
–
Potluck: (Bring a dish to share.) 12-1:30 pm & Class with Q&A: 1:30-6 pm*
APR 14
–
Potluck: (Bring a dish to share.) 12-1:30 pm & Class with Q&A: 1:30-6 pm*
For additional information, call Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056.
* Ending times are approximate.
•
Christmas Potluck Party:
•
Join us for ILM’s Christmas celebration on Saturday, DEC 8
The celebration
•
begins at 4 pm at 203 Buckeye Trail in Austin, Texas. Everyone is welcome! It’s a potluck so bring a dish to share.
•
3 (ILM Calendar continues on pages 4-9)
Experiencing The Divine –
A Meditative Retreat
facilitated by Jim
Gordon and Brian Yeakey
2013
The focus of E
xperiencing xperiencing the the Divine ivine Meditative editative Retreat etreat is on meditation and the Path
of Sound and Light. Each day, we will spend two and a half hours in meditation, as well as participate in other meditative exercises, sharings, and question and answer sessions. This retreat is open to all individuals who are interested in meditation and the Path of Sound and Light, as we present it through Inner Light Ministries.
in Austin:
March 20-24 Austin:
at the Purple Sage Ranch, Bandera, TX:
$540/person for double occupancy $720/person for single occupancy
Time of Events:
on Wednesday, March 20 at 4 pm thru Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm.*
Please make sure you have registered and paid the balance of your registration fee on or before February 20.
To register contact: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or or e-mail Laura at ilmadmin@ilm.org.
in Fort Wayne: May 22-26 at the Lindenwood Conference & Retreat Center, Donaldson, IN:
Time of Events:
on Wednesday, May 22 at 4 pm thru Sunday, May 26 at 3 pm.*
To register contact: Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167 or e-mail Steven at mcafeesa@aol.com.
Fort Wayne:
Registration fee: $50/person deposit required to register $350/person for double occupancy $425/person for single occupancy (limited availability) Please make sure you have registered and paid the balance of your registration fee on or before May 1.
* These ending times are approximate. 44
Experiencing The Divine –
A Meditative Retreat 2013
in Hawaii:
St. Anthony’s Cost:
at Saint Anthony’s Retreat Center Honolulu, Hawaii: on Wednesday, July 17 at 4 pm thru Sunday, July 21 at 3 pm.*
For more information contact: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or e-mail Laura at ilmadmin@ilm.org.
Double Occupancy (per person) - $375
If you would like to support ILM’s Scholarship Fund, please see the back page regarding donations.
in England: at Dunford House, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex: on Wednesday, October 16 at 4 pm thru Sunday, October 20 at 3 pm.* Dunford House Cost:
For more information contact: Susanne Cook at 01444 870838.
Single Occupancy - £380 To register contact: Double Occupancy of twin-bedded room Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or (per person) - £345 e-mail Laura at ilmadmin@ilm.org. * These ending times are approximate. 5
(ILM Calendar continues on next page)
in Michigan and in Indiana
ILM presents:
Kalamazoo:
Saturday, May 18, 2013 Open Meeting
with
Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey Time of Event: 1:30-6 pm*
Where: Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts
Tuesday, May 21 Study Group
Potluck & Sharing with Jim and Brian Time of Event: 5:30-8:30 pm* Where: 4715 Thistle Mill Court, Kalamazoo For further information contact Judy Richards at 269-349-3943 or e-mail jg.richards@charter.net.
Fort Wayne:
Friday, May 31-Saturday, June 1 Potluck & Open Meeting with Jim and Brian Time of Event: Friday: Potluck & Open Meeting from 6-9:30 pm Saturday: Day-long Open Meeting from 9-12 and 2-6:30 pm* Where: ILM Midwest Center, 220 Insurance Drive, Suite F, Ft. Wayne
Tuesday, May 28 and June 4 Tuesday Classes with Jim and Brian Time of Event: 7-9:30 pm* Where here: ILM Midwest idwest Center enter Donation onation
For further information contact Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167 or e-mail mcafeesa@aol.com. * These ending times are approximate. 6
(ILM Calendar continues on next page)
I nner L ight M inistries Calendar in Austin:
ILM Community Potluck Nights: T
hese ILM community nights are intended for the community to gather together in loving friendship at Laura Kesten’s home on the 1st Saturday of every month for fun, laughter, and great food. We’ll either just be together in a social gathering, or we’ll play games or watch a movie. Everyone is welcome. Bring a dish if you want to add to the potluck. Starts 5-5:30 pm. 13210 Calf Roping Trail, Austin Park on the street or at the pool/park and walk a short block 2012: DEC 1 & 2013: JAN 5, FEB 2, MAR 2, APR 6 For additional information, call Laura Kesten at 512-323-2058 or 512-658-4117, or e-mail laurakesten@aol.com.
T
his is not a path of accomplishment; it is a Path of Awakening. – Jim Gordon
ILM.org — the Inner Light Ministries Website
• Jim and Brian’s Spiritual Sharings – listen on-line or download to your computer or MP3 • ILM Journals – the most recent issue as well as archives • Calendar of Events – find out what’s going on by geographic location or by minister • Order CDs – you can get any and all of ILM’s CDs online • Open-Ended Meditations – you can listen to or download edited meditations that allow you to continue meditating for as long as you desire • “Initiates Only” section – find out about Initiates events and listen to talks for Initiates
Initiate’s Handbook Initiates, remember to check out the Initiate’s Handbook
that has been added to the Initiates Only section of the website. Whether you are newly initiated or a long-time initiate, this most current version of the Handbook contains information that will be of special significance to you on your daily walk on the Path. Check out our recently updated http://www.ILM.org today! 7
(ILM Calendar continues on next page)
I nner L ight M inistries Calendar Presented by Steven McAfee, Midwest Coordinator:
For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167 or e-mail mcafeesa@aol.com.
uesday Class Series: Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes in Fort Wayne on Tuesday T nights from 7-8:30 pm at the ILM Midwest Center. The classes are open to anyone, and are intended to awaken and inspire our loving devotion to God. No charge. Donations are welcome.
V
Special ideo Conferences: Live from Austin! Special live video presentations with Jim and Brian via the magic of technology! See YOU at the ILM Center. DEC 4, FEB 5, APR 9
7-9:30 pm
ILM Midwest Center
Donation
C
: More fun community events are on their way! Please RSVP the ILM ommunity Nights week before so we can plan appropriately.
DEC 14
Festival Of Light Christmas Gathering
7-10 pm McAfee’s home
Donation
Child At Heart: This program is an opportunity for children and the people who love them to come participate in fun activities together in ILM. FEB 9 MAR 30
Be My Valentine EGG-stravaganza
2-4 pm 2-4 pm
ILM Midwest Center ILM Midwest Center
Donation Donation
W
alking The Path: A Year of Self-Study – The 2013 WTP program will be devoted to studying the Path of Sound and Light in ancient Jewish and Christian texts. The studies will include selections from the Bible, Kabbalah, and the Gnostic writings. In addition to the regular Sunday afternoon monthly meetings, there will be periodic day-long Saturday workshops. While the program is designed as a year-long study, it is NOT necessary or required to attend every month to benefit from it. No charge. JAN 6, FEB 3, MAR 2, APR 7, MAY 5 2-4:30 pm
ILM Midwest Center
Donation
: Prior registration is required. Space in this retreat is limited and scholarships are not currently R available. Registration forms available at the ILM Midwest Center or upon request. etreat
JAN 11-13
Spiritual Path In Ancient Texts
Plymouth, IN
$175 per person
S
unday S ervices: Steven occasionally serves as a guest speaker at various churches and spiritual groups in the Midwest. Please call Steven for more information.
JAN 20, FEB 10, MAR 31, APR 28
11 am
Brigade of Light, Ft. Wayne
Donation
8 (ILM Worldwide Calendar continues on next page)
I nner L ight M inistries Calendar Community ILM Meetings
•
Kalamazoo:
and
Events Worldwide:
Call Judy Richards at 269-349-3943 or e-mail jg.richards@charter.net.
G : Please Note The Change In Days and Times We Are Meeting: Tuesday T Study Group meetings will be on Sundays! Also, the meetings are now combined with a potluck each month
uesday Study
roup
– yummy!! Call Judy Richards at 269-349-3943 or e-mail jg.richards@charter.net for more information. 2013: JAN 27, FEB 24, MAR 24, APR 28, MAY 21
•
Austin:
M
12:30-4 pm
4715 Thistle Mill Court No charge
Call Kerri Dameron at 512-608-5430 to RSVP and get directions.
eeting: Join us for a meditation and talk by Jim and Brian as we focus on Loving God and sharing our Loving with each other on the last Sunday of each month. Please RSVP before coming. DEC 30, JAN 27, FEB 24, MAR 31, APR 28
2-4 pm
Cedar Park, Tex.
No charge
•
Dallas:
•
Deerfield Beach: Call Victoria Eng at 310-980-2224 to RSVP and get dates and directions.
M
Call Jason Baker at 972-571-8511 for dates, times and directions.
eeting: Each meeting will consist of a short meditation and listening to a class CD by Jim and Brian. If interested please check with Jason for the most current date, time, and location.
M
eeting: The focus of each evening is on spiritual awakening and connecting to the Loving through listening to an ILM meditation and talk by Jim and Brian.
Alternate Wednesdays
•
6 pm
Deerfield Beach, Florida
No charge
Hawaii: Call the contact person for the following events.
1. Call Nadine Ferraro at 808-988-7509, or 551-3123 (cell) for directions. eeting: Share in a one-hour ILM meditation followed by a community gathering.
M
Mondays
6-7:30 pm
Manoa Valley, Honolulu
No charge
2. Call Brian Samo Ross at 808-247-3305 or 554-3305 (cell) for directions. eeting: Listen to Jim and Brian’s meditation and talks followed by a potluck.
M
2nd Sunday
10 am
Kaneohe, Oahu
No charge
3. Call Kelsie and Donogh McSherry at 808-638-0380 for directions. Share in a one-hour ILM meditation followed by a potluck. eeting:
M
3rd Sunday
•
4-6:30 pm
London, England:
North Shore of Oahu
No charge
Call Nanna Brincker at 0207-485-0699 for directions.
: Join us for a 2-hour meditation at 42A Montpelier Grove London NW5 2XE, or join us M on skype at 4 pm for the meditation (please log on 10 minutes before). Please let Nanna know your skype eeting
name. DEC 16 & 30, JAN 20, FEB 10, MAR 3 & 24, APR 14 (Sundays) 9
4 pm
No charge
CDs and Audio Book:
New CD - Know Your Self As God Knows You Excerpt:
W
hen I was younger, I found that it was very easy to get in touch with the Divine within me through the action of forgiveness with myself. I’d say, “I love myself no matter what it is I’ve done or am doing, what I believe or don’t believe, what I’m in reaction to or in action with. I love myself and I forgive myself for anything that’s separating me from the truth of who I am as Divine, that’s separating me from the movement of Loving, and I allow the Divine within me to come present once again.” The more I would do this action of forgiveness during the day, the more I’d find that divine spark stirring inside me, radiating its divine loving and light into my consciousness, into my being, and into my expression of the day. And I sensed God coming alive in everything I did, in everything I saw, and in the “I am” of who I was as the Divine. – Jim Gordon
Send Us Your Email Address, Choose Green Journals, and Update Mail
Since we are doing our best to communicate with our ILM members through the internet, please send
(or update) your email address to your local representative, or to Laura Doggett at ilmadmin@ilm.org.
Also, if you would like to forgo the paper route and published please let us know. Each time a new send an email notification with a link to download email address and put “Choose Green Journal”
receive an email notification when the ILM Journal is Journal becomes available (3 times per year) we will the latest Journal in PDF format. Send us your in the subject to ilmadmin@ilm.org.
Finally, if we don’t have your mailing address, or you’ve had any recent address changes, please notify your local representative or email that information to ilmadmin@ilm.org.
Welcome to Inner Light Ministries Introductory Packet In this packet you will find ILM’s book Love and Loving,
the CD: An Introduction To ILM, the CD: Understanding The ‘Inner’ Pathway, the CD: Lotus Meditation,ILM’s brochure: Inner Light Ministries Guidelines For Initiation And Initiates, and a copy of our latest newsletter.
All of these materials have been selected to give a newcomer a better understanding of who we are
and what we’re about. If you would like an Introductory Packet for yourself or someone else, just let us know. Call us, email us, or write us! Feel free to take a look at our website too: www.ilm.org (for more information see page 7). We are happy to do what we can to assist you on your spiritual journey. Blessings of Peace, Joy and Loving To You! Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, and the ILM Staff 10
Inner Light Ministries
To order please place a check mark (or a “2” if you want 2 of any title) next to the title of the CD of your choice(s) below.
A Path Of Sound And Light
You can also place an order at ILM’s website, www.ILM.org.
ILM Audio CDs
The Tenth Door* Becoming Soul Liberated* ILM’s Toolbox: LAF* Wake Up, Wake Up!* The Three Fold Path* The Pearl Of Great Price* A Simple Way — The Path Of ILM Understanding The ‘Inner’ Pathway The Path Of Sound And Light Waking Up In Spirit What Separates Us From Our Loving A Frequency Of Change For A New Millennium A Soul’s Journey (Manifesting) Abundance I } CD Set (Manifesting) Abundance II Keys to Inner Communication You as a Communicator, You as a Creator and A Meditation The Levels To Soul And Beyond Our Right Relationship With God The Path Of Neutrality Lord, Make Me Worthy and The Master In Your Heart
(2007) (2007) (2009) (1998) (2005)
Know Your Self As God Knows You Fulfillment Through Loving Communion In Action The Story Of Creation Living Spirit In This Physical Creation Living Your Loving, Fulfilling Your Creativity My Journey Of Becoming A Spiritual Teacher Fulfillment Of The Soul An Introduction To ILM* The Action Of Initiation and The Power Of The Name Discipleship* Simplicity and Journaling* The Action Of Giving And Receiving* Enter Into The Journey Of Loving* The Pathway As A Classroom* Returning Back Into Spirit* Loving Who You Are* To Be Or Not To Be* The Living Loving Essence*
(2010) (2009) (2007) (2009)
* This CD set includes a Meditation and Talk.
(2008) (2006) (2005) (2007) (2006) (2006) (2006) (2006) (2006) (2005)
CDs On Meditation
(2000) (1999) (1997) (1997) (1992) (1992) (1991) (1991) (1990) (1985)
ILM Books By Jim Gordon
Lotus Meditation by Jim Gordon The Spiritual Path Meditation by Jim Gordon The Heart Of God Meditation by Brian Yeakey
Love and Loving (Revised)
CD Set {
Meditations by Jim Gordon
(2005) (2005) (1999) (2005) (2003) (2003) (2003) (2003) (2002) (2001) (2001)
NEW
The Knowing of God (Revised)
This CD is the remastering of the tape “Two Meditations” with the addition of the “Golden Pool” meditation.
Order Information & Postage Payment Since ILM is a spiritual pathway that is here to assist each person on their journey, our products are all available free of charge. You are welcome to order as many of the titles as you wish with the understanding that we will send you up to two of each item per order. There is a charge of $1.00 per item to cover shipping costs. In addition, donations towards replenishing the CDs and books are gratefully accepted. Checks may be made payable to Inner Light Ministries and sent to: Inner Light Ministries, PO Box 164332, Austin, Texas 78716.
The Staff of the Shepherd (Revised) (If using a credit card, write the name, address, phone number that corresponds to the card)
Name: Street Address: City & State: Daytime Phone: (
)
Check or money order enclosed Charge my:
Visa
MasterCard
Card Number: Expiration Date: Signature
Total Amount:
$ ©
Inner Light Ministries, A Path Of Sound And Light
Q& A
with Jim and
Q:
Brian
(Taken from Q & A class session of 9/16/12)
Can you talk a little about guilt.
want to take it in and learn the lesson. Ask yourself, “What is the lesson to be learned here, and what is the enjoyment of this experience?
A:
(Jim) What would you like to know about guilt? What it is? How we use it against ourselves? (Laughter)
So, what is that for you? What is it you’re enjoying? Companionship? Food? A rollercoaster ride? Whatever it is, realize that this moment of joy is where Spirit is coming alive for you in the world. It’s wonderful to be able to witness Spirit coming alive for you in the physical world through an experience. You’re just experiencing the aliveness of Spirit in the moment, whatever that experience is. So that’s where you’re fulfilling God. You are a fulfillment in that moment, so live the fulfillment, live the experience, live the joy, and know that that’s all part of that action.
Q:
No, I already know how to do that pretty well. (Chuckle) Well, guilt comes and goes for me. I remember my mom saying, “No work, no play,” and so being on this path I sometimes have an experience in the world that I like and enjoy, and I’ll start to feel guilty about it. I think that if I’m enjoying the experience then I’m apparently not working hard enough on my focus with God, otherwise my focus wouldn’t be out in the world enjoying it.
A: (Jim)
Why are you feeling guilty? Why is it wrong for you to enjoy something? Have Brian or I said something that caused you to think you’re not supposed to enjoy life or have fun?
And if it’s uncomfortable, if it’s unpleasant, then enjoy that too because that’s where that lesson is for you. Then you can look at that and say, “So, what’s here for me to glean from this experience, to gain from it, and to learn from it? How can I move into the experience with loving and awareness and maybe even transform it?
Q: Well, I think that if I’m out here having experiences
than I’m not focusing on God because I’ve heard both of you say a number of times that the experiences of the world just keep pulling us back down.
Q:
In the past couple of months, some things are beginning to lift for me, and although I think my focus is more on God than ever, I’m also feeling like I’m not working as hard at it, and then I think I must be doing something wrong, that maybe I’m slacking off, and so I start to feel guilty that I’m not working as hard as I’m used to on all my stuff and on staying focused on God.
A: (Jim) It’s really the contrary because God put us
into a body to have experiences in the world, so if we’re in the world having experiences we’re actually doing what God has intended the soul to do while it’s here – the soul has to go out and learn through experience, both good experience and not so good experience, but all experiences are about learning. Realize that by going out and having experience, you’re doing exactly what God intended you to do here.
A: (Jim)
Well, why aren’t you working harder? (Laughter) I’ll tell you what. God doesn’t want you to work hard; God wants you to move and experience whatever is present. If working hard is part of that experience in the moment, then do it, but God doesn’t expect us to work hard; He doesn’t even have “work” in his vocabulary. We’re the ones who have taken that word on with the world. The world works. The world makes us work. The Lord of this creation wants us to believe that “it’s by our blood, sweat, and tears” that
Being on this pathway, you can also do one more thing – you can bring God into those experiences, or put experience into God. You can say, “Okay, God. I’m out here having experience for you, as soul.” And begin to share the experience with God so that he’s a participant with you. This can help you to move through the guilt and enjoy the experience, because whatever you experience, the good and the bad, you 12
Q& A continued
Q: I was brought up with the definition of guilt being
we will make our way through this world. That’s the world. God says, “I’m Loving. You’re Loving. Be Loving.” If you’re listening to the world, then you will answer the world’s calling of working hard, of believing that it’s supposed to be hard and difficult, but if you’re listening to God, it’s enjoy, learn, experience, have fun, create, love – it’s just a very different approach. So, if you have the other pushing on you, look at that and say, “I’m going to let go of that. I’m not going to do the way of the world anymore.”
that if you feel guilt, then it is because it’s giving you information that what you’re doing is not what you’re supposed to be doing.
A: (Brian)
And it’s according to who said this to
you, too.
A: (Jim)
That’s somebody else’s definition.
Q:
My mom ingrained in us that we have to work, work, work and if there’s any time at the end of the day left, then we can play. So I guess it’s a balance isn’t it? Well, maybe it’s not trying to balance anything, but really to bring God into everything.
A: (Brian) Part of that is just making everything an
experience and in that way, you start to let go of the judgments, fears, and resistances around the experience. All of us on this spiritual path, to some degree, resist whatever our process is in the world because we think it’s going to keep us entrapped. There’s a part of us that tries to detach ourselves from our judgments, fears and resistances, but also from the things in the world that we love, so if we’re enjoying something we’ll often think we’re attached to it. What I have found with the enjoyment I’ve experienced is that when I’m really living Spirit, I’m in gratitude. You know the whole attitude of gratitude – that’s the consciousness of Spirit, and with gratitude there’s usually enjoyment. “Enjoyment” is a word we use to describe the experience because we’re “in-joy.”
A: (Brian)
See, that’s better because if we look for balance, then it’s back to work and play, and we’re back to polarity, whereas if you look at it as enjoyment, “I enjoy doing this, I enjoy doing that. Okay, I’m working on enjoying it,” (chuckle) then it’s not about balancing things. Instead, it’s about bringing the joy in, about bringing Spirit in all the different areas of our life, because that’s what it’s really about, and not about actual activities, and not about balancing things in the world.
Do any of you know anyone who has the “balancing act” down and who is really happy? We can keep on trying to find balance, but then we’re never going to find joy, not as long as we’re trying to balance activities in the world. Eventually, we’ll discover that that isn’t working, and we’ll start to let it go. And we’ll say, “You know what? I’m done working in the world of polarity. I’m just going to turn towards God and everything in my life is going to be enjoyment, the good and the bad, because I know that that’s what is ultimately going to fulfill me, and fulfill God.” Even when the experience is painful, it can become a joyful experience. If you want to use the word “balance,” think of it as balancing karmas so that the soul can get free; it’s not really ever about the activity.
You’re living in a place spiritually and that’s part of the joy that you’re having with the outer, but the thing is, the joy is inside of you. So, yes, you may be having this physical expression that you’re enjoying, but the joy is inside, and that’s the part to keep coming back to because what is going on inside is not necessarily in the world. When we look at it as an activity in the world, our focus is simply on the activity, and we can say, “Oh, this is the activity, but what am I experiencing inside?” In this case, it’s joy, and joy is a quality of Spirit. And that, in itself, is curative of that disease we call “guilt.” In this way, we don’t even have to try removing the guilt. How many of us have tried ‘trying to let go’ of our focus, or tried ‘trying to remove and get rid of things’? It just doesn’t work. 13
LAFing Lies
A
by Laura Kesten, ILM Minister
outside myself, but not inside. Whenever the peace inside is disturbed by outer or inner conflict I know that I’m not living in the truth.
s children, we’re taught the difference between telling a lie and telling the truth; however, all human beings of all ages tell falsehoods. We do so for many reasons. We may be motivated to tell falsehoods in order to get something we want such as gaining someone’s respect, or saving ourselves from embarrassment in admitting a mistake. We’ll tell a “white lie” (a lie not intended to harm, but told in order to avoid distress or embarrassment) rather than tell our spouse she doesn’t look great in that dress. We’ll lie because it has potential benefits, and it often works. When it stops working, when we’ve been caught in the lie, then we’ll come clean and tell the truth.
And what is the truth? It is one thing: Loving. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” The truth is Loving – Loving will set us free. Does this mean that we should always tell the truth of what we think, what we feel, what we know? Is being honest with everyone, sharing everything we’re thinking and feeling with others, the way we’ll get our freedom? Are other people always ready to meet us at that place where both are willing to choose the truth? These are difficult questions, but the simple answer is this: Enter each conversation you have with yourself, with God, and with others with Loving. There are all kinds of reasons why we lie and, while most of them truly are harmless, it’s important to be: 1) honest with ourselves in understanding our reason, and 2) non-judgmental in practicing loving, accepting, and forgiving with ourselves and others. If there really is something to be said to take care of ourselves, then this may be the time to initiate a conversation in Loving. Both inwardly, and the way we express ourselves outwardly, go for the Loving.
A few months ago, I caught a close friend in a “lie.” I was irate and unforgiving. I shut the door and said, “I can’t have a friendship with someone who lies.” A couple weeks later, much to my chagrin, I became aware that I wasn’t always telling the truth. Little things like when someone asked me how I was, I’d said, “Fine,” instead of saying what was true, which was I was sad and ready to fall apart. Another time, when asked to do something, I made up an excuse rather than saying I didn’t want to do it. And when someone hurt my feelings, rather than hurt their feelings by telling them that what they said made me feel bad, I pretended it was really no-big-deal.
Recently, I shared with a friend about the topic of this article, and it opened this amazing conversation about the lies we’ve told. It was like going to confession, but truly cathartic. In sharing the lies we’ve told, we told the truth, and laughed joyfully. By putting LAF into action, we were getting our freedom by loving, accepting, and forgiving the fear and the judgment that had kept us silent.
Since journaling has been a great tool for me in understanding myself, I began writing about the lies I was telling and why I was telling them. I‘d track with whom I’d speak and didn’t speak the truth, and what each experience gave me. I’d write answers to questions like, “What did I lose, what did I gain?” and “What would I have liked to have said?” I also began tracking the lies I was telling myself about myself such as “I’m not smart enough,” and “I’m never going to get it right.”
So, the final question for me was, “If I could forgive myself, could I also forgive my friend?” The Lord’s Prayer says, “…forgive us for our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.” In loving, accepting, and forgiving myself for the lies I’ve told, this action alone, created a loving movement where I could also forgive my friend. Our search for the truth is not an external action of making others accountable, but an internal process of connecting back into the Loving, and letting that be our expression of the truth.
Through my writing, I discovered that when I choose not to be truthful which, at the time, seems like the path of least resistance, it’s sometimes the choice that causes more pain and suffering inside me. I may have successfully veered from crashing into the conflict 14
Living Waters or
O
Dead Sea
by Steven McAfee, ILM Minister Sea is called Yam Ha’Mavet, a “sea of death.” Biblically, “salt” refers to “things of the world.” Remember Lot’s wife? Because of her attachments, she looked back into the world and, as a consequence, is turned into a pillar of salt.
ne of the ways that Jim and Brian describe the movement of the Holy Spirit is as a “River of Loving.” The Bible uses the terms “living waters” and “river of life.” In my own meditation, I’ve experienced that sacred movement. It literally feels like a river flowing within me, uplifting my soul. When I experience that river, all I want to do is immerse myself in its Loving and let it carry me wherever it goes.
At initiation, the Sacred Name is anchored and enlivened within each of the levels of consciousnesses (physical, astral, causal, mental, etheric, and soul), and in this way the Name begins to awaken the soul on all levels of being within us. But then what? What are we doing with it? Initiation gives us the key to open our inner door to Loving, but are we choosing into that Loving, or are we closing down, and holding on to the world so much that our “sea of consciousness” is filling with salt? Ask yourself: Where is my enthusiasm? Am I finding reasons to meditate less? Am I feeling more burden than joy in my life? Am I feeling alive or dead inside?
In John 4:14, Jesus said: “…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” He was speaking of what he imparted to his disciples at the time of their initiation. Today, when we’re initiated in ILM, we’re given the keys for discovering that living water within our own being. We’re given the Sacred Name of God to chant in our meditation practice every day so that we build up the power of the Name within our consciousness. To me, “building the power of the Name,” means to allow the Loving into every aspect of my life, not just into the parts I think are “spiritual.” It means giving myself completely to the Loving and making that Loving my priority every day. The more I do that, the more I can feel the grace of God moving in my life, setting me free.
Allow the Spirit that came forth in you at your initiation to flow freely in you now – to bring you fully awake and alive! You know what inspires you and nurtures your soul. You know what brings you joy. It’s living in that Loving! Choose back into the Loving day after day, breath after breath. Meditate, meditate, meditate. Sing, dance, share with friends, play with your children or grandchildren, take a walk, listen to music, watch the sunrise. Whatever you do, get enthused about your life! I’m not suggesting that you find more ways to be active in the world. I am suggesting that you take the steps in becoming more actively involved in your own awakening!
Receiving initiation is only the beginning of our liberation, not the end. We must keep its sacred energy alive within us. We’re responsible for living our initiation; otherwise, we stagnate in the mire of the world. There’s a Biblical example that illustrates what I mean: The River Jordan, the symbolic “living water” in which both John and Jesus baptized their disciples, flows directly into the Dead Sea; and yet, the Dead Sea, vast and beautiful to look upon, is barren of aquatic life. Why? It has no outlet, and is filled with salt. Though the living water of Jordan flows into its basin, the basin closes down upon itself and is thus filled with the salt, or vibrations of the world. It’s this “closing off” and “not letting go” that changes it from the living waters to the dead sea. In Hebrew, the Dead
I’m speaking to you now as I speak to myself. If I can find ways in which to keep this teaching alive in me, to inspire me to meditate, so can you. Live the Loving that you are! Do not limit yourself in how you think Spirit must look or act. Live the Loving that has been given to you, and see how it manifests in your life. At initiation you made a choice to open yourself to God’s Loving. Today and everyday, make another choice: open up and become the true, living water. 15
Inner Light Ministries ®
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS
A Path of Sound and Light
Editorial and Publishing Office P.O. Box 164332 Austin, Texas 78716-4332 Phone: 512-306-1056 Forwarding Service Requested
PERMIT NO. 1149
NNER LIGHT IGHT MInistries Inistries Journal INNER
About ILM
Mailing List
I nner Light Ministries (ILM) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to teaching spiritual awakening through an inner practice of meditation. This meditation practice is an inner path through which the soul transcends the physical realms of creation to its true home in the spiritual realms within the heart of God. In spiritual teachings and literature this inner path is often referred to as “The Path of Sound and Light,” “The Path of The Holy Spirit,” “The Path of Love,” or simply as “The Path,” or “The Way.” ILM offers initiation into this meditation practice enabling one to fully experience this inner journey of awakening. To provide support for those individuals interested in this path, Inner Light Ministries offers numerous publications, materials, programs, and services, which encourage devotion to God and support a life-long practice of meditation, spiritual study, and service.
Inner Light Ministries:
To keep our present mailing system up-to-date, please check the spelling of your name, street and city. If there is an error, please notify us by phone (512-306-1056), e-mail (ilmadmin@ilm.org) or by mail (PO Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332). Thank you.
Donations Donations to Inner Light Ministries are gratefully accepted, and help us support: 1. ILM events, production of CDs, the ILM Journal, and books. 2. Scholarships toward supporting members taking ILM retreats and workshops. 3. ILM’s Christmas time project: Coins For Kids. Checks may be made payable to Inner Light Ministries and sent to: Inner Light Ministries, PO Box 164332, Austin, Texas 78716. Or to make a donation by credit card, go to ILM’s website at www.ilm.org. Donations are tax deductible.
Main Office: Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332; Midwest Office: Steven McAfee, P.O. Box 5139, Fort Wayne, IN 46895